Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your baby and make sure he gets the best nutrients in his first few years of life. Some women have difficulty breastfeeding due to sore nipples or cracks that create discomfort, especially in the first week. Although initial pain and inflammation are common for new mothers during the breastfeeding process, there are still ways to remedy or avoid them altogether.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Ensuring a Good Feed
Step 1. Pay attention to the baby's first signs of hunger
Rather than waiting for the baby to start crying or sucking greedily from the breast, you should watch for signs of appetite and try to feed him as soon as possible. When very hungry, the baby may latch on to the nipples and suck very hard, causing pain. To prevent this from happening, you need to feed him as soon as he starts whining or when mealtime approaches.
- If he is a newborn, you should breastfeed him eight to twelve times within 24 hours, respecting regular deadlines and possibly always at the same times; in this way, you can prevent him from sucking the milk too aggressively due to hunger.
- If you don't breastfeed every three hours, you should express the milk with your hands or with a breast pump and put it in a bottle. this precaution avoids breast engorgement, which in turn can cause inverted nipples that make breastfeeding even more difficult.
Step 2. Feed from the least painful breast first
If the breast hurts, you need to start feeding the baby starting from the one in the best condition, in order to give the suffering one a break.
In this way, you also prevent the most sore breast from becoming further irritated and allow the baby to get used to eating from both
Step 3. Get into a comfortable position and lean well
Sit on the sofa or chair and use a pillow to support your lower back and arms. You should support your feet on a footrest or stack of pillows so that both you and the baby are more comfortable during the procedure.
Step 4. Hold the baby close to you, with his mouth and nose in front of the breast
Make sure it fits snugly against you, with your bellies touching each other; support him by placing a hand or arm behind his shoulders and do not hold him by his head. His face must be facing your nipple; he does not have to rotate or change the position of his head to reach the breast, but he must find it easily.
Another way to visualize this position is to have the nipple point towards the baby's nose, so that he can open his mouth and tilt his head back a little, sliding the nipple towards the palate
Step 5. Use one hand to support the breast
Cup your free hand to support the breast and place it in front of the baby's mouth; it should not press on her chin or be too far from her mouth so that the baby can move towards the nipple and rest his chin on the breast on his own.
Step 6. Let the baby attach itself
Most babies move their heads towards the mother's nipple and attach themselves on their own; Your baby may swing his head a little to orient himself before drinking milk, but letting him handle the breast on his own is the best way to ensure a painless and effective breastfeeding.
If the baby does not seem able to move independently, you can encourage him to open his mouth wide by using the nipple to tickle his lips. During the procedure you can say "Open" and check that the breast is close enough to touch his nose; at this point, the baby should allow you to rest your breast against his mouth
Step 7. Make sure it attaches properly
Many infants may only touch their mouth superficially, holding it in an inappropriate manner for sucking and consequently causing sore nipples. Check that the baby is latching properly, making sure that his mouth wraps around the areola and his lips are well opened outwards.
You also need to make sure that she keeps her mouth open throughout the process and pushes her chin a little into the lower part of the breast
Step 8. Change the baby's position if the nipple starts to ache
If you start to feel discomfort or pain once it latches onto your breast, you need to move your mouth a little bit. proceed while you are breastfeeding, pressing lightly on his shoulder to keep him close to you. You can also use your free hand to bring his head a little further back or by sliding him slightly against your body.
- If you have to peel it off every now and then while breastfeeding, use a clean finger. Put your finger in the corner of his mouth or between his gums to break the "seal" between his mouth and your breast; you can also push his chin back slightly or press on the breast near his mouth to stop the sucking force.
- Never push the baby backwards without first breaking the "seal", otherwise you could damage the nipple.
Part 2 of 3: Preparations for Breastfeeding
Step 1. Leave your breasts in the air
Exposing them freely to the air keeps them dry, probably creating less discomfort during the feed.
- You can buy a specific breastfeeding bra made with breathable and natural fibers that do not irritate the nipples; usually, they are made in such a way that they can be easily released at the time of feeding.
- You can also purchase clamshell supports, which are shaped like a plastic donut that you can put on your breasts to protect your nipples; they should be placed under the bra or t-shirt to keep the nipples safe.
Step 2. Massage the breasts with your hands
You can soften them to prepare them for breastfeeding by gently massaging them with your hands; proceed for a few minutes before feeding to stimulate milk production.
- Alternatively, you can express the milk with a manual breast pump to facilitate the escape of the liquid; in this way, the nipples should ache less and be less sensitive when you breastfeed the baby.
- This procedure also helps to extract the inverted nipples and the baby can latch on better, resulting in less pain.
Step 3. Take a hot shower
Exposing the body to a warm environment stimulates milk production; some mothers take a short hot shower before breastfeeding.
Alternatively, you can apply a warm towel to soothe the discomfort and facilitate the flow of milk
Step 4. Practice relaxation techniques
Keeping calm and relaxing before and during the feed helps make the process less painful and difficult. You can take a few deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling six or eight times, or you can meditate for five minutes, sitting in silence; a calm and relaxed mind can help reduce stress while breastfeeding.
Step 5. Express a small amount of milk before feeding
Squeeze your breasts lightly with your hands. This shrewdness stimulates the flow of milk and activates the slowed reflexes of the breasts; in this way, the baby is likely to suckle less intensely and exerts a reduced sucking force on the nipples during the feed.
Do not use a pump that is too powerful, or you could cause pain and cracking in the nipples
Part 3 of 3: Treating Sore or Torn Nipples
Step 1. See your pediatrician if your baby has a short lingual frenum
With this disorder, the newborn has greater difficulty in lifting or moving the tongue normally and consequently may have problems during breastfeeding, as it is unable to extract milk from the breast effectively; he may therefore end up pushing his nipple with his tongue, causing pain in his palate and discomfort for you.
- Pay attention to whether the baby is able to protrude his tongue beyond his lower lip. you should also observe if she can lift her towards the palate when she cries. If he is unable to do these movements, you must take him to the doctor to see if he actually has a short lingual frenum.
- If he is affected by this disorder, the pediatrician can cut the membrane that restricts his movements, in order to make feedings more effective and productive.
Step 2. Let the doctor check if the baby has thrush
This is a fungal infection that can affect you and the baby, causing irritation, redness and cracking of the nipples, as well as forming white patches. you may also notice white patches in the baby's mouth. Thrush can affect the milk ducts, making breastfeeding difficult and painful.
The doctor is able to diagnose this pathological condition and can prescribe treatments
Step 3. Check for sore, cracked nipples for infection
If they cause a lot of pain and get cut while you are breastfeeding, you should go to the doctor to check that the cause is not due to some disease; your doctor can prescribe safe topical medications to treat the disorder.
If you have a breast infection, known as mastitis, your doctor prescribes oral antibiotics that you can safely take while breastfeeding
Step 4. Apply breast milk to any cut or painful area
If you have already developed fissures or painful areas on your nipples, you can use your own milk to soothe the discomfort. use your fingers to rub a small amount of milk before and after the feed to help heal.
- Do not use any irritating substances, such as soaps or shampoos that contain alcohol or creams with harsh ingredients; also avoid vitamin E products, as they can be toxic to the baby.
- You also need to be very gentle when cleaning your breasts during the shower; use a neutral, antibacterial cleanser and soft towels to not further irritate the nipples or cause pain.
Step 5. Apply a soothing compress
If you feel a lot of discomfort, you can place a warm compress (a simple clean towel soaked in hot water) to reduce any swelling or discomfort.
- You can also use medical lanolin ointment to reduce pain or fissures. however, some studies have found that breast milk is more effective for this type of disorder than lanolin.
- If your nipples are really sore, you can take a mild pain reliever half an hour before feeding. mild drugs are considered safe for breastfeeding; However, if you are concerned about this, ask your doctor for confirmation before taking any over-the-counter medicines.
- Do not place tea bags on sore, torn nipples; it is a folk remedy that has actually proved ineffective.
Advice
- Do not give the baby a pacifier or bottle in the first months of breastfeeding, otherwise he may develop the disorder known as "nipple confusion"; if he gets used to sucking from a hard, artificial teat, he is no longer able to latch onto his nipples during feedings.
- Sometimes the shells stick to the nipples. If this happens, it is important to remove them gently without pulling them, as you may tear the skin; if they do not come off using great care, wet them with the hand shower to remove them gently.
- It is completely normal to experience some mild breast tenderness during the first few weeks of breastfeeding, until you get used to it; as long as the baby latches on properly and the nipples look normal, there is nothing to worry about.
